Automatic metalworking machine



Oct. 24, 1944.

N. B. SMITH AUTOMATIC METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 She ets-Sheet 1v ATTORNEYS Oct. 24, 1944. N. B. SMITH 3 2 "AUTOMATIC METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet -2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYfi Oct. 24, 1944. T

AUTOMATIC METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 Shee'ts-Shee't 3 INVENTOR. New): B. Smz'I/z.

BY W i ATTORNEY ,5

Oct. 24, 1944. i N. B. SMITH 2,360,906

AUTOMATIC METAL, WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 V/////// Z Z I95 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 24, 1944. N. B. SMITH AUTOMATIC METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .Ncmn .B. Smith Patented Oct. 24, 1944 AUTOMATIC METALWORKING MACHINE Nevin B.- Smith, Hamburg, Pa., assignor to Lane dis Machine Company, Waynesboro, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Applicatlon August 8, 1941, Serial No. 406,049

30 Claims. (Cl. Iii-91) pieces from one forming stage of the machine to another.

As disclosed herein, the invention is applied to a metal forming machine having-two parallel and horizontal work forming stages; more specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, it is applied to a double spindle threading machine of the type especially used to thread pipe nipples,

studs, and other work requiring a thread on the opposite ends thereof.

In the production threading of pipe nipples, it always has been desired to minimize the labor and time required to produce the individual threads at the two ends thereof. While double spindle threading machines having a transfer device to automatically position the work in the second work forming stage are basically old, none of the prior developments has achieved any commercial success due to numerous short comings such as limited positiveness of operation, limited flexibility of application, and limited overall saving in labor and time with respect to older methods for producing nipples, such as threading each end thereof in an individual machine or in the separate spindles of a double spindle machine.

Accordingly, it is the primary object plicability. 1

of my invention to provide an automatic machine stage to another, in efllcient and economical manner.

It is another object of my invention to provide. an improved transfer mechanism which is applicable to -a large variety of metal working machines having a plurality of work forming stages but which is especially adapted to such machines as have substantially parallel and horizontal work forming stages.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an automatic metal working machine having parallel work forming stages each comprising a rotatable element, a non-rotatable element, and means for effecting relative linear movement therebetween and actuating each stage according to a predetermined cycle and in spaced timing sequence to each other stage, with the force applied for eflecting such relative linear movement of the rotatable and nonrotatable elements of each stage located in substantial opposing alignment with the force resisting such movement in order to reduce friction and wear.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means effecting the aforesaid relative movement'of the rotatable and non-rotatable elements of each work forming stage, including an adjustment determining the minimum displacement between those elements when they are in closest proximity.

his a further object of my'invention to proj vide the non-rotatable element of one work Itis another object of my inventiorr to provide forthe application thereof to machines already a in service by incorporating the novel features thereof into an attachment adapted for application to those machines.

United States 'Patent No.. 1,904,493 to B. W. Mathias, combined with certain elements positively and accurately displacing any of a large variety ofwork pieces from one work forming it .is another object of my invention to provide a metal working machine having a plurality of work forming stages and an improved transfer mechanism, of the general type shown in the forming stage with means for automatically grip- Pl s a work piece, for supporting the work piece prior to its being gripped, and for suppor ing the, work piece after its being released from gripped position.

It is a further object of my invention to provide the non-rotatable element of another work forming stage with means for automatically gripping a work piece, for supporting and subsequently aligning the work piece prior to its'being gripped, and for removing, the work piece from the machine after its release from gripp d position' 1 It is a further object of my invention to provide a. machine having a plurality of work forming stages and a transfer mechanism for eil'ecting movement of a work piece between two such stages, wherein the transfer mechanism displaces the work .piece in two perp ndicular circular paths. and the movement'thereof in one of those paths is eilected byits motion in the other path.

It is a further obiect'of my invention to provide a machine having a pluralityof work forming stags and a transfer mechanism for eflecting movement of a work piece between two such stages, wherein the transfer mechanism incorporates a fluid-operated work gripping memher and automatic means controlling the operation thereof.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved transfer mechanism having a two piece oscillatory driving shaft and yieldable means disposed therebetween which permits the transmission of normal driving forces but not of abnormal ones such as would injure the mechanism.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved transfer mechanism having an oscillatory driving shaft and a grip carrying member rotatable therewith and also about an axis perpendicular thereto, wherein that member rotates about its axis through power supplied by the driving shaft.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved transfer mechanism as aforesaid, the grip carrying member having a beveled gear at the end thereof adjacent the drive shaft, which gearcoacts with one mounted on a drive shaft support for effecting rotation of that member about its axis as it rotates with the drive shaft It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved transfer device as aforesaid, and further incorporating means whereby rotation of the grip c rrying member about its axis is limited to only a portion of the time the drive shaft rotates.

Further objects will become apparent as the specification proceeds, in conjunction with the annexed drawings, and from the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fi ure 1 is a view in elevation of the left hand side of the machine.

Figure 2 is a partial view showing the mechanism for driving the main shaft of the auxiliary machine frame.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the front end of the machine.

Figure 4 is a top view of the work magazine.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of sections of the right-hand side of the machine;

Figure 6 is a view of the transfer mechanism and shows the path of travel of the transferred work blank; i

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer'mechanism;

Figured is a similar cross-sectional view of a Portion of the transfer mechanism but in different operating phase;

' Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view-of the main cam and associated mechanisms;

Figure 10 is a view of the cam outline of the transfer mechanism cam.

Figure 11 is a detail face view showing the assembled relation of certain of. the parts.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the parts controlling operation of the work transfer ripper sleeve.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line ll-l: of Figure 12.

Referring to Figure 1, the main machine frame ll has mounted thereon a bracket ll carrying a motor ii. A chain drive If transmits power from the motor to a drive shaft H supported on the frame iii. The drive shaft it has keyed thereto a pinion I! which drives two spindle gears l6, one on each of two parallel spindles I I and i8,

The axes of the spindles are in parallel alignment with the axes of a pair of carriage ways it andfoasisbestshowninl 'igureil. Ahand wheel 2! on shaft ll may b used to rotate the aforedescribed gears manually when it is desired to check the machine during various phases of its operation.

Each spindle has a flange 24 .on which may be mounted a. tool member; the disclosed embodiment shows left and right die heads 25 and 28, for threading operations, of the type disclosed in Patent 1,760,587, each provided with an internal trip, reaming and chamfering tool 21, as is best shown in Figure 5, of the time disclosed in Patent 1,699,994. Since such die heads long have been used for threading pipe'nipples, they are well-known in the art and require no further description here. However, it may be mentioned that such die heads are provided with chaser holders zlcarrying threading chasers 29, the die heads being operable to disengage the'chasers from the threaded work at the end of the threading operation, whereby the work may be withdrawn without "backing of!" the die head. Further, the reaming and chamfering tool 21, in addition to serving as a trip plate to cause the die head to release the chasers from the threaded work, also serves to remove any burrs produced by the threading operation, by reaming the interior of the nipple and chamfering the exterior thereof to produce a smooth machined end.

Carriages 34 and 35 are slidably mounted on ways is and 20 for movement to and away from the respective die head 25 or 28. Each carriage, 1

in the illustrated embodiment, is provided with a gripping mechanism 36 which includes a stationary jaw 31 and a movable jaw is that is actuated by a fluid motor 3! for clamping a work piece such as a nipple or stud, shown in 40 Figures 5 and 6, in alignment with the axis of the spindle ll or is and its respective die head 25 or 26 and subsequently releasing the same. The means for controlling the operation of the fluid motors 39 will later be described.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 6, the left-hand carriage 34 is provided with a bracket 5 attached to the rear end thereof. The bracket supports one end of a split tube 46, the other end of which is supported by the front section 41 of the carriage. The tube' It is substantially aligned with the axis of die head 25 and serves to guide the work into position where it is gripped by the jaws of the gripping mechanism 36 during movement of the carriage. Bracket 45 also carries one end of a bar 48, the other end of which is carried by the front section 41 of the carriage. A vertical work magazine 49, formed of thin metal and whose cross-section is best shown in Figure 4, is supported by bar 48 and the front section 41 of the carriage. The front end 50 of work magazine 49 is adjustable to provide for difierent lengths of work blanks, which areretained in work magazine 49 one above the other and with their axes parallel to that of tube 48.

Securely fastened, as by bolts 54, 55, and 58, to the front end of main frame Ill and having legs 51, is an auxiliary machine frame 58.

Mounted on the top of the frame 58 is a bracket 59 that adjustably positions a pusher rod to within the bore of tube 46 by means of a clamp SI and bolt 62. The end 63 of rod 60 lying within the bore of tube 46 serves to push a. work blank lying within that tube into position between jaws I1 and 38 ofthe left-hand gripping means 35 when the carriage 34 moves away from die head 25. At the same time, the semi-finished work blank formerly in the left-hand gripping mechanism 38 is ejected, by a new work blank entering, unto a concave upper surface of a cradle rod 84 (see Figures 6 and 1) supported by bracket 59 and slidably resting on the front section 41 of the carriage 34. There the work blank awaits transfer to the right-hand Working stage of the machine.

It should be noted that the cradle rod 64 lies immediately below tube 45 with its upper concave surface disposed in the slotted portion thereof (see Figure 6) and that the upper section of tube 46 is cut away to permit a work blank to fall from the magazine 49 unto the bottom of the tube 46 when the carriage is sufliciently close to the die head 25 to have end 63 of pusher rod 58 in non-interfering position at the front end of tube 45. Thus, the return travel of carriage 34 away from die head 25 results in displacing the work blank in' tube 45 into gripping position between the jaws 31 and 38 of gripping mechanism 36 and simultaneously ejecting the semi-finished blank from the gripping mechanism 36 unto cradle rod 64. Subsequently, the travel of the carriage 34 towards die head 25 permits a new work blank from magazine 49 'to fall into position within tube 48. Further, since pusher rod 68 is adlustably positioned by clamp I, different length blanks can be placed in proper position between the jaws of the gripping mechanism so as to extend the same distance forwardly of the jaws towards the die head 25.

Referring to Figures 3, 5, and 6, the righthand carriage 35 has a. bracket 65 on the rear end thereof on which are mounted two spaced rods 65, the front ends of which are supported by a bracket 81 attached to a spring clip carrying member 68 that is fastened to a section 69 of the right-hand gripping mechanism 35. A spring clip 18 is adjustably attached by stud 18a to member 68 and extends between the jaws 31 and 38 of the righthand gripping mechanism 36 to contact the top of the work piece. The spaced rods 66 serve to support semi-finished work pieces transferred thereto from the left-hand work stage and together with spring clip I8 align the same for clamping in the gripping mechanism of carriage 35. Due to its resilient engagement with a work piece entering the grip jaws, clip I8 further ab-. sorbs the momentum developed by the impact of the work piece against the pusher rod I land thus precludes excessive forward movement thereof. A

59 on the left side of the machine. Rod II moves the work piece along spaced rods 68 to proper and rolls out from the machine through a discharge opening I9 in main machine frame I8. t For the purpose of actuating each of the carriages 34 and 35 linearly, each carriage has a depending lug 88 (Figure 5) formed on the bottom thereof. A carriage driving rod 82 is journalled for rotation in the lug 88,- and held against axial movement with respect to the lug by collars 8| fastened to the rod. The other end of the. driving rod is threaded into a bore of sliding block 83 by which means it can be adjusted relative to the block. The rod is locked in adjusted position by a locknut 84 on its threaded portion.

Each sliding block83 is slidably mounted on a cylindrical way 85 mounted between a front end section 86 and rear end section 81 of the auxiliary machine frame 58. Each sliding block has a bifurcated portion 88 extending over a guide rod 89 mounted between the aforementioned sections 86 and 81 and below the cylindrical way 85. Thus, the sliding blocks 83 are confined to linear movement, being prevented from rotating about guide ways 85 by the cooperating bifurcated sections 88 and guide rods 89;

In order to reciprocate these blocks and the carriages connected therewith, a main cam 98 is Journalled about and keyed at 98a to a sleeve 9|, which in turn is journalled about bearing liners 92 about a main cam driving shaft 93.

3 Shaft 93 extends from the rear of the main machine frame I8 to the rear end section 81 of the auxiliary machine frame 58, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 9.

On the external periphery of the main cam 98 are located cam segments 94, 95, and 96, whose respective surfaces 91, 98, and 99 contact, in sequence, a contact roller I88, of which there is one journalled on each sliding block 83. The cams and rollers effect linear movement of the sliding 48 blocks 83 as'the main cam 98 is rotated (see Figures 1 and 5). It should be noted that clockwise rotation of the main cam 98 when looking toward the rear of the machine as in Figure 3, results in having cam segment 94 move each carriage to work threading position. Cam segment 95 imparts a lead screw motion to the carriage during the threading operation, and cam segment 95 returns the carriage for the'start of a new cycle. Each phase of the movement of carriage .34 is 180 out ,of phase from the COI'I'E! sponding phase of carriage 35 with respect to rotation of the main cam98.

Since the .rise of. the cam segment 95 and the rate of rotation of main cam 98 relative to that of the spindles II and l8 determines the lead of the thread being cut, it is obvious that different gether with the additional rise of cam segment 95 determines the closest proximity between each I carriage: and its respective die head, it is obvious that minor adjustments thereof may, be. effected position for gripping by the right-handgrippingo5ibyadiusting each carriage'driving rod 82 with mechanism 38. Thus, as carriage 35'moves away from die head 26, the forward end I5 ofpusher rod II engages a semi-finished work blank and pushes it-into position to be clampedf-in-gripping mechanism 36. The enteringsemi finished work piece displaces the finished work piece formerly gripped therein.

The carriage 35 has attached thereto a bracket I6 which .carries a deflecting member "I'I onto respect to its 'sliding block 83 to avoid anyinterference. g

It also'should be noted that .the centerline of main cam 98, that of each'rolier I88, and that of '10 eacircarriage driving rod 82 are ali..-parailel,

which relationship assures-transmitting the carriage driving forces smoothly to the carriages 34 v.and-35. By this arrangement the carriages can be driven with a minimum of misaligned forces whose inclined surface I8 the finished work fails I which would tend to tilt the carriages. Also, the

riages are substantially in the line of the actuatingforces. r

For driving the main cam shaft 63, a chain drive III is located at the rear of the machine. This drive includes a sprocket I06 mounted on the rear of the right-hand spindle I6. A sprocket I61 on the main cam shaft-63 is driven by sprocket I66 through chain I06. Sprocket I61 is keyed by key I06a to an end plate I69 rotatably mounted around shaft 93. This plate has a cam recess III into which is resiliently pressed, by a spring III, a driving dog II2 located in a radial recess III of an end plate II4 which is mounted on and secured to the rear end of the shaft 63.

This assembly will transmit normal driving forces to shaft 93 but will not transmit abnormal forces. An abnormal force will cause spring III to be compressed to permit disengagement of driving dog II2 due to the camming contact of dog I I2 with camming recess I I0.

. As has been mentioned, main cam 90 is not directly mounted on the main cam driving shaft 93, but is mounted about and keyed to sleeve 9I which, in turn, is mounted about bearing liners 92 that are rotatable around camshaft 93. Since the rotation of cam shaft 93 is too rapid to permit main cam 96 to be directly mounted on and keyed to cam shaft 93, the above-described construction is used. For reducing the rate of rotation of main cam 90, that cam is provided with a large internal gear I26 which is inserted into an annular recess I2I thereof and fastened thereto by screws I22. The gear I20 is driven by an idler gear I23, mounted on a shaft i24 supported byrthe rear end section 61 of the auxiliary machine frame 56. Idler gear I23 is in turn driven by a small spur gear I25 keyed to the main cam shaft 93 by a key I26, as is shown in Figure 9.

Thus, the ratio of the gears I26 and I20 and that of the sprockets I06 and I61 establishes the rotation of the main cam 90 relative to that of spindles I1 and I6. By choosing different ratios of sprockets I06 and I01, it is possible to out different leads of thread even though cam segment 65 be the same. Further, by adjusting the position of the internal trip, reaming, and chamfering tool 21 along the axis of the respective die head 25 or 26, it is possible to out different thread lengths. The pusher rods 60 and H merely assure. that the work protrudes beyond each grlppingmechanism 36 bya sufllcient yet not an excessive distance.

Referring to Figures 3 and 9, adjacent the end I30 of internal hub I3I of main cam 90 and mounted on and secured to sleeve 9| is a gripping mechanism control cam I32. On either side of cam I32 extend brackets I33 which are formed integral with the rear end section 61 of auxiliary machine frame 58. Each of these brackets has pivoted thereto a follower arm I34 which has a roller I35 engaged in a camming groove I36 of cam I32. Thus, as cam I32 rotates with sleeve 9|, the follower arms I64 are oscillated in accordance with the configuration of the camming groove I36 of cam I32 which can best be seen in Figure 9.

The upper end of each follower arm I34 is adjustably connected to a valve stem I40 by adjusting nuts I and locknuts I42. One such valve stem is in each valve I43 and I44 to control the operation of the gripping'mechanism 36 on carriages 34 and 35, respectively. Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, a high pressure line I50 provides high pressure fluid to ports I! opposing forces resisting movement of the carand I62, respectively, of valves I43 and I44 and each valve has two lines I66 and I64 including flexible portions I630 and I64a to the respective fluid motor 66. By reciprocation of the stem I46 in each valve, high pressure fluid is delivered. alternately. to opposite ends of each fluid motor 36 to control theclamping and releasing of each gripping mechanism 36.

A transfer mechanism is used for the purpose of transferring the semi-finished work blanks from the cradle rod 64 of the left-hand working stage to rods 66 of the right-hand stage. as will now be described.

Referring to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 10, the front end section 66 of auxiliary machine frame 66 has an integral vertical bracket I60 in which is iournalled a transfer drive shaft I6I that has a drive pinion I62 keyed to one end thereof. An

- integral offset boss I63 of bracket I60 has mounted therein a pin I64 carryin a gear segment I66 rotatably mounted thereon for oscillatory movement thereabout. Gear segment I66 has a cam roller I66 which is actuated in accordance with the configuration ,of cam groove I61 on the rear rupted portion I65 of plate. member is: is in face of main cam 90. Thus, oscillations of gear segment I65 are transmitted to transfer drive shaft l6I by drive pinion I62.

An inverted Y-shaped bracket has its diverging legs "I thereof fastened to opposite sides of the main machine frame I0, and its middle leg includes a large boss I12 in which is keyed, by pin I13, the shank I14 of an interrupted beveled gear I16.

A bushing I16, is disposed within the bore of interrupted beveled gear I15; and, in turn, reduced 'end I11 of transfer sleeve I16 is rotatably mounted therein. An annular surface I19 of the transfer sleeve I19 abuts the front face I60 of the interrupted beveled gear I15, while collar I6I on reduced end I" of transfer sleeve I16 restricts axial movement of the transfer sleeve I 16 in the opposite direction.

Disposed between the under face I62 of gear I15 and face I92a of boss I12 is a plate member I63 having a flanged edge I94 which is interrupted as at I65. It should be noted that the interangular phase with the uninterrupted or tooth bearing portion I66 of gear I 15 and that plate member I93 is keyed to gear I15 by a pin I61 to maintain that relationship by eliminating any possible relative rotation of these members.

Through bore I of the central section'of transfer sleeve I16 extends a cylindrical transfer arm I92 whose reduced end I93 is Journalled in a bushing I94 in a housing I95 and which extends up to the central section of transfer sleeve I16. The extreme lower end of reduced end I93 of transfer arm I92 has a threaded section on which is mounted a nut I96 to draw the flanged portion I91 of transfer arm I92 against'theouter surface of the central section of transfer sleeve I16. In this manner, both the transfer arm I92 and the housing I95 are keyed to the transfer sleeve I16 for rotation therewith.

Section 200 of transfer sleeve I16 is made with large bore "I in which is a rotatable dog 202 that is keyed to transfer drive shaft I6I by key 203 but which is axially movable with respect thereto. A spring 204 presses against end 206 of rotatable dog 202 to maintain camming notch 206 in end 201 of dog 202 in engagement with a drive pin 208 extending through the transfer sleeve I18, there being a stop nut 209 about transfer drive shaft I 6| and engaging threaded poraseacoe tion 2 I9 of transfer sleeve I18 to resist the opposing action of spring 284. Thus, the oscillations of transferdrive shaft I8I are transmitted to the transfer sleeve I18, and any excessive'oscillations thereof such as would injure the aforementioned parts or any interference with the rotation of transfer sleeve I18 is provided'for by this safety device. v

About transfer arm I92 is rotatably mounted a transfer grip sleeve 2I5 which has a beveled gear 2I8 formed integral therewith-and adapted to engage and coast with the toothed "section I88 of interrupted beveled gear I15. Transfergrip sleeve 2I5 has keyed thereto, by a'key 2I1, a collar 2I8 having a recessed portion2I9 on its periphery which, when the recessed portion 218 v is in sliding contact with an .end face 228 of flanged portion I84 of plate member I83, as-is best shown in Figure '1, frictionally restrains rotation of the grip sleeve 2I5. Thus, transfer grip sleeve H5 is in non-rotatable phase when disposed as is shown in Figure '7, butin rotatable phase when the parts I84 and 2I9 are disposed as in Figures 8 and 12. It further should be noted that housing I95 surrounds these parts to prevent the ingress of foreign matter to the aforementioned working parts.

Asis best shown in Figure 6, the transfer grip sleeve 2i5 is retained on the transfer arm I92 by a lock nut 225, and its reduced upper portion 228 carries a fluid-operated grip mechanism comprising a stationary jaw 221, a movable jaw 228, pivoted thereto at pivot point 228, and a fluid motor 230 disposed between the respective ends 23I and 232 of these jaws. Fluid motor 239 includes a spring 235 within its bore 238 and pressing against fixed piston 231 which is opposed to the inlet of high-pressure fluid from line 238. The means for controlling the flow of high pressure fluid in line 238 later will be described;

however, it is obvious that the flow thereof to piston 231 results in clamping the jaws 221 and 228 by shifting the cylinder 238 and compressing spring 235 which serves to hold them open.

In the embodiment-shown, the Jaws 221 and 228 may clamp the work piece adjacent one end, as shown in Figure 3, so that at the end of the transfer movement it is deposited between the abutment 15 and the gripping mechanism on carriage 35. However, other ways of assuring that the transfer mechanism deposits the work piece in the proper place may be used, since the particular expedient used may vary according to the particular machine.

For controlling the flow of high-pressure fluid in line 238, a, disk cam 248 is mounted on end 2 of sleeve 9| (see'Figure '7) and is keyed thereto by key 242 to rotate therewith and is retained thereon by collar 243 which is threaded on end 24I- of sleeve 9I.

Disposed above the periphery of disk cam .248

is a camming roller 245 attached to stem 248 of valve 241 which controls the flow of high-pressure fluid from inlet 248 to line 238 and on to fluid motor 238. 1

Having described the operating parts of my novel machine, I now will describe the operating sequence thereof. I

As carriage 34 finishes its forward threading movement, die head 25 opens so as to disengage chasrs 29 from the completed thread. As carriage 34 starts its return movement, the gripping mechanism 38 thereon releases the semi-finished work blank, and further return movement of this carriage results in having the semi-finished work shown in Figure 6; after which no further rotationof sleeve I18 occurs :because' the .transfer mechanism is disposed as in Figure -'1. Transfer arm I92 continues its rotation "toward-the semifinished work blankunti-l the jaws-221 and 228 engage that piece and fluid motor 239' effects a clamping thereof therein.

" Transfer arm I92 startsitstravel to the second or right-hand work stage; and,'after again-assumingdts position shown in Figure 6, sleeve I18 thereon starts -to .rotate the semi-finishedwork blank so that the unfinished end thereof is toward die'head 28by the time that .jaws 221.and 228 are above the spaced rods 88 on'carriage 35. The flow to fluid motor 239 then is interrupted to release the semi-finished work blank unto spaced rods 88.

Transfer arm I92 has assumed its dwell posi tion, shown in Figure 3, by this time and awaits the completion of the threading operation on 40 the work blank in the left-hand stage which displaced the recently transferred one in the right hand stage; the latter already being clamped in gripping mechanism 38 of carriage'35 and bein advanced to threading position.

This cycle of operation repeats in efiicient and economical manner and with positiveness and accuracy not heretofore known.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of my machine, it is obvious that I have fulfilled my objectives. It should be especially noted that existing-manually-operated double-spindle machines can be converted into an automatically operated one by incorporating my invention in an attachment for application thereto, as is shown in the drawings.

It should further be noted that power is supplied smoothly to the carriages; that the machine incorporates several safety devices to protectthe parts thereof against injury; that the transfer mechanism is of simple construction being actuated only by power from one shaft instead of having individual power sources for the transfer arm and the transfer sleeve; thatthe use of such a transfer mechanism is not limited'only to a machine having two stages; that the semifinished work blanks are removed from a stage without tilting thereof until they are clear of,

all obstructions of that stage; and that different types of tools can be carried by the spindles to perform many operations other than threading.

The invention may be embodied in other speciflc forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to.be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the

relative to each of said forming devices along' paths in alignment with the axes of said work forming devices; guide ways on said frame for said holding means; an extension on said frame and a drive means iournalled therein; reciprocable slide means and means on said extension guiding them for movement parallel to the movement of said holding means; means connecting said slide means and said holding means; means connecting said drive and slide means in substantial alignment with the path of movement of said slide means in order to reduce friction and wear; a transfer member operable to grip a work piece after release by a first of said work holding means and to transfer it to a position where it is engaged by a second of said work holding means; and means operable by said drive means for actuating said transfer member and alternately reciprocating said first and second work holding means in automatic timed phase relationship with each other and with said transfer member.

2; A metal working machine comprising a frame having mounted thereon at least two spindles rotatable about substantially parallel axes; work forming devices on said spindles; work holding means reciprocable relative to each of said forming devices along paths in alignment with theaxes of said spindles; guide means on said frame for said holding means; an extension on said frame and a drive means journalled therein; reciprocable slide means and rods on said extension guiding them for movement parallel to the movement of said holding means; connecting means between said slide means and said holding means; connecting means between said slide means and drive means in substantial alignment with said guide means and said rods; said drive means being operable to reciprocate each of said work holding means through cycles having similar phasesv occurring at different predetermined relative periods; and transfer means driven by said drive means in proper phase relationship with said work holding means and oper. able to pick up a work piece after release by a first of said work holding means, to reverse it end for end, and transfer it to a parallel position for engagement by a second of said work holding means.

3. In a machine, means forming a plurality of parallel work forming stages, each stage comprising a pair of spaced members movable toward each other to clamp a work piece therebetween; means for reciprocating said members from a loading position to a work forming position in a direction p ndicular to their relative movement; means operable to form said work piece when said members are in work forming position;

support means extending between said spaced members in the direction of their reciprocal movement and in position to locate the work piece for clamping by said members, one of said supports being operable to receive it after release 2,860,906 .scope of the invention being indicated by the thereby; and transfer meansautomaticaiiy operated in timed relationship with the movement of saidspaced members with respect to each other and to said work forming means, to transfer a work piece from said one support to another of said supports while reversing it end for end, whereby one end of the work piece is presented to the work forming means of one stage and the other end is subsequently presented to the work forming means of another stage, said transfer means comprising an arm mounted for oscillation about a substantially horizontal axis intermediate said supports and carrying jaws adapted to grip the work piece and lift it from one of said supports and swing it through a curved path to the other of said supports.

4. A machine having at least two spaced work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a work piece in automatic timed sequence at two work stations adjacent said work forming means; support means at each station upon which the work is adapted to rest; and mechanism operable to pick up a work piece from one of said support means and transfer it to the other support means while simultaneously reversing it end for end; wherein said mechanism includes a first element rotatable about a first axis, and a second element rotatable about said first axis and about an intersecting axis, means operable to rotate said first element about the first. axis, and means operable to cause the movement of said second element about the intersecting axis to affected by the rotation of said first element.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4, including an element operable to cooperate with said second element to limit the rotation of said second element about the said second axis to only a portion of its period of rotation about said first axis.

6. The apparatus described in claim 4, wherein the last-mentioned means includes a stationary third element having rotating means cooperating with said second element during only a portion of the period of its rotation about said first axis, whereby it is effective to rotate the second element about the said second axis only during the period that said rotating means is in cooperative relationslnp therewith.

7. The apparatus described in claim 4, wherein the last-mentioned means includes a stationary third element having rotating means cooperating with said second element during only a portion of its rotation about said first axis, and means operating to prevent rotation of said second element about said second axis except during the period said rotating means cooperates therewith.

8. A machine having at least two spaced work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a work piece in automatic timed sequence; positive reciprocating means operable to advance work pieces into each work forming means; and a transfer mechanism including a fluid-operated member, operable to clamp a work piece released by one reciprocating means, and to transfer it to another reciprocating means; and means controlling the supply of fluid to said member automatically in timed sequence with operation of said reciprocating means.

9. A machine having at least two spaced work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a ,work piece in automatic timed sequence; reciprocating means including fluid-operated gripping means operable to ad- Vance .work pieces to each workforming means; a transfer mechanism, including a fluid-operated transfer member, operable to clamp a work piece released by the gripping means of one of said reciprocating means and to transfer it to another of said reciprocating means; and means operable to control automatically the timed sequence of the movement of said reciprocating means and the respective supplies of fluid to said gripping means and said transfer member.

10. In a power driven machine having a plurality of work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a work piece in timed sequence, a work supporting and gripping device associated with each of said work forming means; a transfer means operable in timed relation to the working phase of said forming means to transfer a partially formed work piece from one to another of said work supporting and gripping devices; a work gripping device on said transfer means; and automatic fluid-operated means to render said last-named gripping device eflective in timed relation to the operation of said transfer means.

11. A machine having a plurality of movable work carriers; a plurality of forming devices; power means operating said carriers to move work pieces into engagement with said forming devices and including a positive drive connected to said power means operable to disengage upon overload; transfer mechanism operable to move a work piece from one to another of said carriers; and positive drive means for said mechanism connected to said power means and operable to disengage upon overload.

12. The apparatus described in claim 11 wherein said last-mentioned positive drive means includes a two-piece shaft and a connection therebetween disengageable upon overload.

13. A metal working machine comprising a frame having at least two work forming stages each including relatively rotatable and linearly movable elements mounted on said frame; drive means on said frame operable to move elements of said two stages through cycles of linear movement in automatic timed sequence; said drive means including means operable to actuate said elements in their linear travel by forces substantially in line with the forces opposing linear travel thereof; said work forming stages each including a mechanism for automatically grippin and releasing a work piece, means for supporting a work piece in position to be gripped by said mechanism and for receiving said Work piece after release thereby; a transfer member operable to grip and transfer a work piece, by bodily lifting it, from one said supporting means to another; said drive means also being operable to operate said transfer member in timed relattionship with respect to the movements of said linearly movable elements.

14. The device described in claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned connecting means is provided with means for adjusting its length,'whereby the relative positions of said relatively rotating elements at the ends of their relatively linear movements can be determined.

15. A machine having a plurality of movable work carriers, a plurality of forming devices; power means operating said carriers to move work pieces into engagement with said forming devices; transfer mechanism operable to move a work piece from one to another of said carriers; and positive drive means for said mechanism connected to said power means and embodying interengaging means operable to disenga e upon overload, said positive drive means. including a pair of elements mounted for relative axial sliding movement; a recess in one element, a Projection on the other element fitting into said recess; and spring means urging said projection into said recess.

16. In a machine for elongated work pieces, a primary threading device and a secondary threading device disposed in side-by-side relationship; a primary and a secondary carriage aligned respectively with said threading devices and mounted for reciprocation toward and away therefrom; .means for alternately reciprocating said carriages; a primary and a secondary work gripping device supported by said carriages and adapted to hold the work pieces during threading; a stationary support mounted in front of said primary threading device; means for feeding work pieces to said support and advancing them endwise in succession toward said primary threading device as said primary carriage is reciprocated; a secondary work support aligned with said secondary threading device; means for advancing work pieces on said secondary support endwise in succession toward said secondary threading device as said secondary carriag is reciprocated; means for releasing said primary Work gripping device at the conclusion of the primary threading operation and for moving the same away from said primary threading device a sufficient distance to leave the threaded work piece in exposed position on said stationary support between said primary threading device and said primary work gripping device, said transfer mechanism operating in automatic timed relationship with reciprocation of said carriages, for gripping the exposed work piece intermediate its ends and transferring it bodily to said secondary support and simultaneously reversing it end-for-end, so as to present its unthreaded end to said secondary threading device, and-means for causing said secondary work gripping device to then grip the transferred work piece and feed it into said secondary threading device, said secondary support being mounted on said carriage and cooperating with a stationary pusher for causing th work piece to be discharged from said support upon reciprocation of said carriage at the conclusion of the threading operation in said secondary threading device.

17. In a machine for threading both ends of elongated work pieces, a primary threading device and a secondary threading device disposed in side-by-side, relationship; a primary and a secondary carriage respectively aligned with said threading devices and mounted for reciprocation toward and away therefrom; means for alternately reciprocating said carriages; a primary and a secondary work gripping device respectively supported by said carriages and adapted to hold the work pieces during threading; a stationary support mounted in front of said primary threading device; means for feeding work pieces to said support and advancing them endwise in succession toward said primary threading device as said primary carriage is reciprocated; a secondary work support aligned with said secondary threading device; means for advancing work pieces on said secondary support endwise in succession toward saidsecondary threading device as said secondary carriage is reciprocated; means for releasing said primary work gripping device at the conclusion of the primary threading operthreading both ends of ation and for moving the same away from said primary threading device a sufficient distance to leave the threaded work piece in exposed position on said stationary support between said primary threading device and said primary work gripping device, and a transfer mechanism, comprising an arm mounted for swinging movement in a substantially vertical plane and also for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a gripping device carried by the free end of said arm; means for causing said arm to swing and also rotate about its axis and bring said gripping device over the exposed threaded work piece on said stationary support, means for causing the gripping device to grip the work piece; means for causing saidarm to swing and simultaneously rotate and brin said gripping device and the gripped work adjacent said secondary support in reversed endior-end relationship; and means for causing the gripping device to release the work and deposit it upon said secondary support, and thereby present its unthreaded end to said secondary threading device.

18. A machine having at least two spaced work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a-work piece in automatic timed sequence; a Work supporting and gripping device associated with each of said work forming means and mechanism operable to transfer a work piece from one of said devices to the other, for successive operation thereupon by said two work forming means, said mechanism including an oscillatory rotatable shaft driven by a positive drive means, a support for said shaft, a grip carrying member rotatable with said shaft and also about an axis at an angle thereto, gripping means on said member a gear fixed to said memher and meshing with a cooperating gear on said support; said gears being eifective to rotate said member about said axis as the result of rotation of said shaft; means for automatically actuating said gripping devices in timed sequence with respect to rocking movement of said shaft, means for causing said gripping means to grip a work piece when it is released from one of said gripping devices and to, release said work piece automatically upon delivery thereof to the other of said supporting and gripping devices.

19. The apparatus described in claim 18 wherein one of said gears includes a discontinuity whereby the gears ar effective to rotate said member about said axis during only a portion of the rotation of said shaft.

20. A machine having at least two spaced work forming means operable to perform successive forming operations on a work piece in automatic timed sequence; and mechanism operable to transfer a work piece from a first to a second forming means, said mechanism comprising an oscillatory rotatable shaft driven by a positive drive'means, a support for said shaft, a grip carrying member rotatable with said shaft and alsabout an axis at an angle thereto, a first gear fixed dsaid member and a second gear on said slip ft, said gears having tooth means coacting to eii'e ct rotation of said first gear during aportion only ;of the period of oscillation of said shaft and thereby rotate said member about said axis; and means operable to prevent rotation of said member about said axis except when said gears are in cooperative relationship.

21 The apparatus described in claim wherein said last-mentioned means includes an element fixed to said second gear and having a discontinuous surface, and an element fixed to said first gear and having a recess arranged for camming contact with said discontinuous surface.

22. In a machine for threading both ends of elongated work pieces, a primary threading device and a secondary threading device disposed in side-by-side relationship; a carriage aligned with each of said threading devices and mounted for reciprocation toward and away therefrom; means for alternately reciprocating said carriages; a primary and a secondary work gripping device respectively supported by said carriages and adapted to hold the work pieces during threading; a stationary work support mounted in front of said primary threading device; means for feeding work pieces to said support and advancing them endwise in succession toward said primary threading device as said primary carriage is reciprocated; a secondary work support aligned with said secondary threading device; means for advancing work pieces on said secondary support endwise in succession toward said secondary threading device as said secondary carriage is reciprocated; means for releasing said primary work gripping device at the conclusion of the primary threading operation and for moving the same away from said primary threading device a suflicient distance to leave the threaded work piece in exposed position on said stationary support between said primary threading device and said primary work gripping device; and a transfer mechanism, operating in automatic timed relationship with reciprocation of said carriages, for gripping the exposed work piece intermediate its ends and transferring it bodily to said secondary support and simultaneously reversing it end-for-end, so as to present its unthreaded end to said secondary threading device.

23. In a machine for threading both ends of elongated work pieces, a primary threading device and a secondary threading device disposed in side-by-side relationship; a primary and a secondary carriage aligned respectively with said threading devices and mounted for reciprocation toward and away therefrom; means for alternately reciprocating said carriages; a primary and a secondary work gripping device supported by said carriages and adapted to hold the work pieces during threading; a stationary support mounted in front of said primary threading device; and having a portion extending between the latter and said primary work gripping device; means for feeding work pieces to said support and advancin them endwise in succession toward said primary threading device as said primary carriage is reciprocated; a secondary work support aligned with said secondary threading device; means for advancing work pieces on said secondary support endwise in succession toward 'said secondary threading device as said secondary carriage is reciprocated; means for releasing said primary work gripping device at the conclusion of the primary threading operation and for moving the same away from said primary threading device a sufilcient distance to leave the threaded work piece in exposed position on said stationary support between said primary threading device and said primary work gripping device, a transfer mechanism, operating in automatic timed relationship with reciprocation of said carriages, comprising a clamp device for gripping the exposed work piece intermediate its ends and means for swinging the gripping device so as to transfer the work piece bodily to said secondary. support and simultaneously removable clamp jaws; a fluid motor for actuating said jaws; a valve on a stationary part of the machine; a flexible conduit placing said valve in communication with said motor; a source of fluid energy connected to said valve; and means for automatically actuating said valve in accordance with reciprocation of said carriages.

25. The machine defined in claim 23, together with independent fluid motors for actuating said gripping devices, and common means for reciprocating said carriages, for actuating said transfer mechanism and for controlling the flow of fluid energy to said fluid motors.

26. The machine defined in claim 23, together with independent fluid motors for actuating said work gripping and clamp devices, and common means for reciprocating said carriages, for actuating said transfer mechanism and for controlling the flow of fluid energy to said fluid motors in predetermined timed relationship.

27. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein said gripping means comprises a movable fluidcontrolled work gripping element, together with power driven means automatically controlling the supply of fluid to said fluid-controlled work gripping element automatically in accordance with operation of said work supporting and gripping devices.

28. A machine having at least two parallel work forming means disposed in side-by-side relationship, means for causing said work forming means to perform successive operations on a work piece in automatic timed sequence, and transtransfers a work piece from one of said work.

fer means operable to pick up and transfer a work piece bodily from one of said work forming means to the other in timed relationship to operation of said work forming means, said transfer means comprising a mechanism rockable at one end about an axis disposed between and extending substantially parallel to said work forming means, said mechanism terminating at its free end in a work gripping device operable to pick up and lift a work piece from one of said work forming means and deliver it to the other work forming means when said mechanism is rocked about said axis, said transfer mechanism embodying means for causing said work gripping device to rock about an axis substantially normal to said first-named axis and reverse the work piece end-for-end when said gripping device forming means to the other.

29. The apparatus described in claim 28 wherein said transfer mechanism includes a power operated drive means; an oscillatory rotatable shaft driven by said, drive means; a grip carr ing member rotatable with said shaft and also about an axis at an angle thereto; and means rotating said member about said axis by power supplied by said rotatable shaft.

30. The apparatus described in claim 28 wherein said transfer mechanism includes a power onerated drive means; an oscillatory rotatable shaft driven by said drive means; a grip car ying member rotatable with said shaft and also about an axis at an angle thereto; and means rotating said member about said axis by power supplied I by said rotatable shaft, said last-mentioned means includes a stationary element which cooperates with said member to cause rotation thereof about said axis by said shaft in its movement.

NEVINEBMTH. 

